This past September, two First Tee – Orange County players represented the chapter on one of golf’s biggest stages. Lily Shay and Josh B. Buzer traveled to Pebble Beach for the PURE Insurance Championship, held September 18–20, where they played alongside PGA TOUR Champions professionals in a tournament that pairs youth golfers with some of the game’s most respected names.
For both Lily and Josh, the road to Pebble Beach started the same way every First Tee journey does — on a local course, learning the game alongside life skills like discipline, resilience, and self-confidence. Earning a spot in the PURE Insurance Championship was a reflection of years of practice, mentorship, and growth both on and off the course.
In the lead-up to the tournament, both players worked closely with PGA Pro Ryan Voois to fine-tune their games, and both players spent the week taking in everything Pebble Beach had to offer — from practice rounds to the kind of once-in-a-lifetime moments that come with competing at a national event.
Lily was paired with PGA TOUR Champions player Chad Campbell, while Josh teamed up with Esteban Toledo — each pairing giving the First Tee – Orange County players the chance to learn directly from seasoned professionals over three rounds of competitive golf at Pebble Beach.
“Honestly, I was really nervous walking up to the first tee,” said Lily. “But at one point I just stopped and looked around — the ocean, the course, everything — and I realized how lucky I was to even be there. That moment kind of settled me and reminded me to just enjoy it.”
Competition began September 18, with Friday and Saturday rounds split between Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill Golf Course before the field returned to Pebble Beach alone for Sunday’s final round. The chapter cheered on Lily and Josh throughout the weekend — not just as golfers, but as examples of what’s possible when a love of the game turns into something bigger.
Missed the action? https://www.pureinsurancechampionship.com/ has full results, and First Tee – Orange County’s social channels have more moments from the week.
